Rise Of The KingsThe Books of I & II Samuel

I Samuel 13-15

“The Decline of Saul”

Announcements

I and II SamuelWeek Date Topic

1 07 Mar 12 Samuel’s Call: 1 Samuel 1:1-4:1a

2 14 Mar 12 The Ark Narratives: 1 Samuel 4:1b-7:17

3 21 Mar 12 Israel Demands a King: 1 Samuel 8-12

4 28 Mar 12 The Decline of Saul: 1 Samuel 13-15

5 04 Apr 12 David – God’s Anointed: 1 Samuel 16-19

6 11 Apr 12 Saul’s Rejection of David: 1 Samuel 20:1-28:2

7 18 Apr 12 The Death of Saul: 1 Samuel 28:3-31:13

8 25 Apr 12 David Becomes King: II Samuel 1-6

9 02 May 12 The Davidic Covenant: II Samuel 7-10

10 09 May 12 Senior Blessing

11 16 May 12 David’s Moral Failure: II Samuel 11-14

12 23 May 12 Absalom’s Rebellion: II Samuel 15:1-19:8a

13 30 May 12 David Returns to Jerusalem: II Samuel 19:8b-24

I and II SamuelWeek Date Topic

1 05 Mar 08 Samuel’s Call: 1 Samuel 1:1-4:1a

2 12 Mar 08 The Ark Narratives: 1 Samuel 4:1b-7:17

3 19 Mar 08 Israel Demands a King: 1 Samuel 8-12

4 26 Mar 08 The Decline of Saul: 1 Samuel 13-15

5 02 Apr 08 David – God’s Anointed: 1 Samuel 16-19

6 09 Apr 08 Saul’s Rejection of David: 1 Samuel 20:1-28:2

7 16 Apr 08 The Death of Saul: 1 Samuel 28:3-31:13

8 23 Apr 08 David Becomes King: II Samuel 1-6

9 30 Apr 08 The Davidic Covenant: II Samuel 7-10

10 07 May 08 David’s Moral Failure: II Samuel 11-14

11 14 May 08 Absalom’s Rebellion: II Samuel 15:1-19:8a

12 21 May 08 David Returns to Jerusalem: II Samuel 19:8b-22:51

12 28 May 08 Last Words, Final Actions: II Samuel 23-24

Historical Background• Samuel named as the primary author

– Samuel was the 13th (or 15th) judge of Israel– Nathan of Gad wrote about David’s life (1 Chron 29:29)– Abiathar, high priest, may have wrote later chapters

• Existed as one book until translated into Greek around 300-200 B.C.

• Written between 931 B.C. and 722 B.C. and covered the period from 1080-950 B.C. or 130 years

• Imperialistic void– Hittite and Egyptian empires had fallen more than a century

earlier

– Smaller kingdoms like the Ugarit had disintegrated as well

Historical Background• Transition period in Israel’s history

– Conclusion of a great famine in the land (see Ruth 1:1)– After the exodus, end of the period of the judges, and

beginning of the monarchy – Israel had disintegrated morally, spiritually, and

politically

• Chapter 13-15 Notes– Decline of Saul’s reign– Saul’s failure to wholeheartedly obey God– God raises another to replace Saul: David

Palestine in Palestine in Saul’s TimeSaul’s Time

Saul Challenges the Philistines (13:1-7a)

• Saul was 30 years old when he became king– Reigned for 42 years (until age 72)

• Saul creates a military presence– Standing army of 3000

• 2000 under his command at Michmash (north of Jerusalem)

• 1000 led by his son Jonathan at Gibeah

• Rest were sent home (13:2)

• Jonathan starts a war by attacking Philistine outpost– Geba, between Micmash and Gibeah– Saul took credit (13:3-4)– Philistine force of 3000 chariots with riders plus soldiers

• Saul’s men overcome by fear of Philistines (13:5-7)

PhilistinesIsrael

Saul Foolishly Presents Offerings (13:7b-15)• Saul makes sacrifices in the face of the Philistine

army– Again, Saul’s troops fled (13:6)– On the seventh day, Samuel had not arrived (13:7-8)– Saul sacrifices, despite Samuel’s directions (see 10:8)– Samuel rebukes Saul, Saul offers excuses (13:12-13)

• Samuel’s rebuke of Saul– Lineage of the kingdom would be given to another– Indications of David’s ascension – To one who was committed to obedience (13:13-14)

• Samuel leaves the town of Gilgal– Saul left with a shattered force of only 600 men (13:15)

I Samuel 13:16 to 14:52 In Brief• Saul and Jonathan attacked by Philistines at Geba

– Situation seemed dire, but not to Jonathan– Jonathan slips away to the Philistine camp with an armor

bearer

• Jonathan lures Philistine soldiers into a fight– With his armor bearer he kills 20 Philistines

• Philistines become panic stricken after an earthquake– Saul observes their confusion– Saul foolishly bounds his soldiers to fasting until he got

his revenge against the Philistines

• Despite Saul’s foolishness, Israel is granted victory

• Samuel reminds Saul of his anointing– By Samuel, with God’s authority (15:1)

• God punishes the Amalekites– Had attacked Israel after the Exodus (15:1-2)

– Saul was to totally destroy the Amalekites (15:3)• Nothing was to be spared: people, animals, possessions

– Saul musters his troops at Telaim, in southern Israel– Saul attacks from Havilah to Shur, south of Israel

• Saul fails to obey God’s commands– Does not kill Amalekite king Agag and choice livestock– Saul tries to rationalize his disobedience

Saul Fails to Obey (15:1-9)

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God Rejects Saul as King of Israel (15:10-23)• Saul’s failure to completely obey God

– Brings Samuel a troubling revelation– God was grieving over Saul’s anointing– Samuel prays to God for guidance

• Saul erects a monument for himself at Carmel– Honor his victory over the Amalekites– Saul credits himself with the victory– Saul tells Samuel, “I carried out God’s instructions”

• Samuel rebukes Saul – Saul blames others (15:15)– It was Saul who disobeyed (15:16-19)

• God rejects Samuel (15:23)

• Saul’s insincere repentance– Fear of what people thought weakens his leadership– Real motive for repentance, he feared losing earthly

support (15:24-25, 30)

• Because Saul rejected God, God rejects Saul– Samuel tears Saul’s robe – a metaphor (15:27-28)– Kingdom would be torn from him and given to another

• Saul reigns for 15 more years, but is rejected by God and repudiated by Samuel– Samuel kills Agag to highlight Saul’s disobedience

(15:32-33– Samuel returns to Ramah never to seek Saul again

Samuel Repudiates Saul’s Kingship (15:24-35)

Review• Review last week’s lesson, historical background,

and timeline for the books of I and II Samuel

• Review historical maps of Israel and the region

• Read chapter 13:1-15, Review 13:16-14:52, Read 15:1-35

• Learn how Saul challenges the Philistines

• Learn about Saul’s foolish offerings

• Examine the destructive effects of Saul’s partial obedience

• Desire to avoid blame-shifting and take full responsibility for our decisions